New Mercedes-Benz A-Class - the sporty compact model "All set
for attack" at Geneva Motor Show +VIDEO

GENEVA - March 6, 2012: The heartbeat of a new generation: at the
centre of Mercedes-Benz's presence at the Geneva Motor Show (8 to 18 March
2012) will be the world premiere of the new A-Class. The company is opening
up a whole new chapter in the compact segment: markedly emotive in design,
with powerful engines ranging from 80 kW (109 hp) to 155 kW (211 hp), and
extremely efficient, with emissions from just 99 g/CO2/km. At the same time
the new model underlines that for Mercedes-Benz safety is not a question of
price - the standard specification includes, amongst other things, the
radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system.

"A is for Attack: the
A-Class is a clear statement of the new dynamism of the Mercedes-Benz
brand", explains Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of
Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "It is completely new, down to
the last detail. In automotive development, it's not often you get the
chance to start with a clean sheet of paper. Our engineers and designers
have made the very most of that opportunity."

Watch the Mercedes-Benz A-Class introduction highlights

Design and dynamism are
obvious characteristics of the new A-Class even at first glance, simply in
the way it sits up to 18 centimetres closer to the road than its
predecessor. The radical new design idiom that was so enthusiastically
received upon its first appearance with the "Concept A-CLASS" has been
rigorously applied for the series-production model. With their fresh
interpretation of the classic two-box design, the Mercedes designers have
created an emotive exterior with a pronounced sporty flair.

"Applying the
new dynamic style of Mercedes-Benz to the compact class was a challenge
that we thoroughly enjoyed", explains Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at
Mercedes-Benz. "The almost sculptural lines of the A-Class are very typical
for Mercedes. The feature lines, particularly along the sides of the car,
then give the A-Class structure and tautness." The objective when it came
to the interior design was to complement the sporty look of the exterior.
On top of this the car has a high-quality feel about it that is unique in
this segment, achieved both through the design idiom as such and through
the choice and combinations of the high-quality materials used. As seen in
the Concept A-CLASS, there is an option allowing a smartphone to be fully
integrated into the operating and display system. A special app makes it
possible to use the full functionality of the iPhoneŽ, and in due course
also of other smartphones, in the car. All trim surfaces feature an
electroplated finish in "silver chrome", giving them a genuine metallic
surface with "cool touch" effect.

"This is just one example of the way in
which the quality of the A-Class's interior is not defined by classic trim
elements but by consistent design and by the specific materials used",
explains Hartmut Sinkwitz, Head of Interior Design. "The motto we used when
designing the interior was 'pure sportiness, newly interpreted'."
Particular visual highlights include, for example, the air vents, which
stand out like "sparkling jewels" (Sinkwitz), so underlining the
exceptional quality of the interior. The sporty character of the vehicle is
further emphasised by the integral seats (optional extra) in the front. The
rear seat is similarly sporty in appearance and can accommodate up to three
passengers. As well as the basic specification, which can be individualised
with a wide range of options, there is a choice of design and equipment
lines that have been put together with the requirements of customers in
mind: "Urban", "Style" and "AMG Sport".

The world premiere of the new
A-Class (length/width/height: 4292/1780/ 1433 millimetres) will take place
at the Geneva Motor Show (8 to 18 March 2012). It will be making its way to
European dealers in September 2012.

For the first time, the performance
specialists from AMG were involved in the development of the compact class
from a very early stage. The result is the most dynamic version of the new
model series - the A-Class Sport 'engineered by AMG', in which the visual
affinity to the Concept A-CLASS is at its most evident - particularly in
terms of the new diamond grille. The A-Class Sport features exclusive
18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-spoke design with 235/40 R18 tyres
all round and painted high-gloss black with a high-sheen finish, together
with red-painted brake callipers. These give an indication of the
particularly dynamic driving qualities of the A 250 Sport and the A 220 CDI
Sport, which are differentiated, amongst other factors, by a special
AMG-developed front axle and a suspension that has been configured to
match. Hints of red on the AMG front and rear aprons also serve to
emphasise the expressive positioning of the new model. The contrast between
black trim and additional accents in red continues in the interior: the
contrasting decorative topstitching on the steering wheel and seats is in
this same bright shade, as are the seat belts. The ambient lighting of the
instruments and the highlight rings of the air vents are similarly red.

Drive system: new petrol and diesel-powered engines

A broad range of both
petrol and diesel engines has something to suit every performance
requirement, whilst also demonstrating the current state of the art in
terms of efficiency: for the first time, a Mercedes-Benz will produce
emissions of just 99 g of CO2 per kilometre. The bandwidth of the new
generation of petrol engines with a displacement of 1.6 and 2.0 litres
ranges from 90 kW (115 hp) in the A 180 and 115 kW (156 hp) in the A 200
through to 155 kW (211 hp) in the A 250. Common to all is the combination
of direct injection and exhaust gas turbocharging, a more advanced
combustion process and an extended stratification range for lean-burn
operation that uses fast-acting injectors for the multiple injection of the
fuel as well as on-demand multi-spark ignition. CAMTRONIC is an innovation
that will be celebrating its world premiere in the 1.6-litre engine:
adjusting the valve lift on the intake side restricts the amount of fresh
mixture used in the partial load range, so reducing consumption. The diesel
engines also offer an impressively high level of efficiency and
environmental compatibility, thanks to sophisticated injection technology
and turbocharging. The A 180 CDI offers an output of 80 kW (109 hp) and a
maximum torque of up to 250 Nm, while the A 200 CDI has a maximum output of
100 kW (136 hp) and torque that rises to 300 Nm. The A 220 CDI has a
displacement of 2.2 litres, an output of 125 kW (170 hp) and torque of 350
Nm, delivering absolutely exceptional performance in the A-Class. All
engines in the new A-Class feature the ECO start/stop function as standard.
The engines can be combined either with the new six-speed manual
transmission or, as an option, with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic
transmission.

Further highlights: suspension, aerodynamics, safety

The
dynamism promised by the design and drive system is realised by the
suspension. A noticeably lower centre of gravity and a new 4-link rear axle
provide the basis for this; and would also make the installation of 4MATIC
all-wheel drive possible. Customers can choose between various suspension
settings, among them the optional sports suspension with Direct-Steer
system. The electromechanical steering in the A-Class has been completely
redesigned, so that the electric motor for the power assistance now sits
directly on the steering gear in the form of a compact and extremely
precise Dual Pinion EPS. Its exceptional aerodynamic performance, with a
new record Cd value of 0.26, puts the A-Class at the top of its class. This
is further helped by the standard roof spoiler, which hides all the
unsightly aerials on the A-Class. The A-Class is the only vehicle in its
class to feature as standard a radar-based collision warning system with
adaptive Brake Assist, which lowers the risk of rear-end collisions. The
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system gives a visual and acoustic warning to
alert a possibly distracted driver to identified obstacles, and prepares
Brake Assist for the most precise braking response possible. This is
initiated as soon as the driver steps firmly on the brake pedal. The
PRE-SAFEŽ preventive occupant protection system is now available for the
first time in the A-Class. This innovation, which was premiered in the
S-Class in 2002, thus makes its very first appearance in the compact class.
Core features of PRE-SAFEŽ are reversible belt tensioning, the closing of
side windows and sliding sunroof in case of critical lateral dynamics and
adjustment of the fully electric front passenger seat with memory function
to an ideal position for maximum effectiveness of the restraint systems.
PRE-SAFEŽ is always activated in response to critical longitudinal and
lateral dynamics and may also be triggered upon intervention by certain
assistance functions. The democratisation of safety also encompasses an
array of other assistance systems which have been adopted into the A-Class
from the larger model series. These include:

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